The 1980 Plymouth Arrow sits at an interesting point in the compact import era, when buyers wanted fuel-conscious packaging but still cared about trim distinctions and sporty appearance. That matters with this car because tire fitment is not completely one-size-fits-all across the lineup. Most 1980 Plymouth Arrow sub-models use a 165R13 radial, while the GT with aluminum wheels uses a 185/70R13 radial on the same 13-inch rim diameter. That gives owners a choice between traditional blackwall touring-style radials and, in 185/70R13, additional period-style presentation options such as redline or wide whitewall. The right pick starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Plymouth Arrow
Two tire sizes apply to the 1980 Plymouth Arrow, and the difference comes down to sub-model rather than a change in basic construction. Both are radial tires for 13-inch wheels, so the first step is identifying whether the car is a Base, GS, GT, or GT with aluminum wheels. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to selecting the right brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size.
The 165R13 size uses a euro-metric format in which 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1980 Plymouth Arrow, this is the primary fitment for the Base, GS, and GT sub-models, giving those cars a traditional narrow radial tire profile for a 13-inch wheel. Available choices center on blackwall designs from Michelin and Dunlop, including XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet series. This size is the right starting point when the car retains the standard wheel setup used on most Arrow trims.
The 185/70R13 size is a modern metric radial format, with 185 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 70 representing the aspect ratio, and 13 marking the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1980 Plymouth Arrow, this size is tied to the GT with aluminum wheels rather than the full model range. Product choice is broader here, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options across brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. This is the size to evaluate when the car still carries its aluminum-wheel configuration or a comparable 13-inch wheel with suitable width.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1980 Plymouth Arrow because most versions share one tire size, while one wheel-specific GT configuration uses another. Identifying the exact trim and wheel package is the key step before comparing tire styles or brands.
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1980 Plymouth Arrow Base
The 1980 Plymouth Arrow Base uses the 165R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on blackwall radial options and makes wheel-width compatibility more important than deciding between multiple primary fitments.
The 1980 Plymouth Arrow GS also uses the 165R13 radial size. For this sub-model, the decision is mainly about choosing among the available radial tire series while keeping the car's existing wheel setup and intended appearance in mind.
The standard 1980 Plymouth Arrow GT uses the same 165R13 radial fitment found on most of the lineup. That means tire choice stays within a narrow, traditional 13-inch radial format rather than moving to the wider 185/70R13 used on the aluminum-wheel version.
The 1980 Plymouth Arrow GT w/aluminum wheels uses 185/70R13 radials instead of 165R13. That opens up more variety in sidewall styling and tire series, but it also makes it especially important to confirm that the car still has the aluminum-wheel setup before selecting tires.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1980 Plymouth Arrow Tires for Sale
Available 1980 Plymouth Arrow tires span 165R13 and 185/70R13 radial sizes with choices from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall touring and sport-oriented series, while 185/70R13 also adds redline and wide whitewall appearance options.
These 1980 Plymouth Arrow tire FAQs focus on the two correct sizes, sub-model differences, 13-inch rim fitment, product choices, appearance options, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
The 1980 Plymouth Arrow uses two tire sizes, depending on sub-model. Base, GS, and standard GT models use 165R13 radials, while the GT with aluminum wheels uses 185/70R13 radials. Both sizes are built for 13-inch wheels, but they are not the same overall fitment choice across the lineup.
The practical step is to confirm exactly which Arrow sub-model and wheel package is on the car now, especially if it has changed hands over the years. A GT fitted with different wheels may not still match its original trim-specific setup, so checking the current wheel size and width before ordering tires helps avoid an unnecessary mismatch.
What size rim does a 1980 Plymouth Arrow use?
The tire fitments for the 1980 Plymouth Arrow use a 13-inch rim diameter. That is true for both 165R13 and 185/70R13 applications, so the difference between the two sizes is not wheel diameter but the tire's section width and profile.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. Width still matters, especially because some available products are intended for different rim-width ranges within the 13-inch format. Before choosing between 165R13 and 185/70R13, verify the car's actual wheel setup and compare it with the tire's rim-width specification so the tire and wheel work together properly.
Do all 1980 Plymouth Arrow sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1980 Plymouth Arrow Base, GS, and standard GT use 165R13 radials, but the GT with aluminum wheels uses 185/70R13 radials. The split is tied to the specific GT aluminum-wheel configuration rather than to the Arrow model line as a whole.
That distinction matters because a buyer can easily assume every Arrow used the same 13-inch tire. In reality, the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package on the car. Checking the wheel type already installed is especially helpful on older vehicles that may have been altered, restored, or fitted with wheels from another trim.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 165R13 for Base, GS, and standard GT models, or 185/70R13 for the GT with aluminum wheels. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility rather than treating every 13-inch tire as the same fitment.
A restoration-oriented Arrow may call for a more traditional blackwall look, while another owner may prefer the extra appearance options available in 185/70R13, including redline or wide whitewall. It also helps to compare product details such as load capacity where stated and the intended character of the tire series so the final choice suits how the car will be used.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 Plymouth Arrow tires?
Blackwall is available in both Arrow tire sizes, and it is the only sidewall style offered in 165R13. In 185/70R13, the choices expand to include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, giving the GT with aluminum wheels a broader appearance range than the rest of the lineup.
That makes sidewall style a real selection factor only after the correct size has been confirmed. A Base, GS, or standard GT owner choosing 165R13 is mainly deciding among blackwall radial series, while an owner of a GT with aluminum wheels can use sidewall treatment to steer the car toward a sportier or more restoration-oriented visual presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
Michelin and Dunlop offer tires in 165R13 for the 1980 Plymouth Arrow, while 185/70R13 choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand selection changes with tire size, so the range of choices is broader on the GT with aluminum wheels than on the other Arrow sub-models.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the tire series available within that brand, the sidewall style, and any stated rim-width or load information that matters to your wheel setup and intended use. That approach keeps the focus on fitment and presentation instead of treating every brand option as interchangeable.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
A period-style 1980 Plymouth Arrow tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size. Base, GS, and standard GT models belong in 165R13, where the available look is centered on blackwall radials. The GT with aluminum wheels uses 185/70R13, which opens the door to blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall presentation.
For a restoration-minded car, appearance and fitment need to work together. Keeping the right size for the sub-model preserves the Arrow's stance and wheel relationship more faithfully than choosing a style first and forcing the fitment second. If exact historical appearance matters, compare the tire choice with marque references, period photos, or restoration records for that specific configuration.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
On the 1980 Plymouth Arrow, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction question is less about bias-ply versus radial appearance and more about how the chosen radial size and sidewall style present the car. A 165R13 blackwall gives a different visual impression than a 185/70R13 redline or wide whitewall.
That means restoration appearance is shaped by sub-model-correct sizing first and sidewall treatment second. The GT with aluminum wheels offers the broadest styling range because 185/70R13 includes multiple sidewall choices, while the other trims stay closer to a simple blackwall look. Matching the tire to the wheel package keeps the finished car from looking visually out of step.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Plymouth Arrow?
Yes. Even though the 1980 Plymouth Arrow uses 13-inch tire fitments, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, or body modifications can affect whether the intended tire size is still appropriate. That matters most when a car no longer matches its original sub-model wheel package.
An Arrow that has been modified should be checked carefully before selecting either 165R13 or 185/70R13. Wheel diameter and width are the starting points, but steering clearance and fender clearance also deserve attention once the car is loaded and turned lock to lock. A trim badge alone is not enough if the car has been changed over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Plymouth Arrow on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the car's actual setup, and check that the tires are inflated properly for the application being used. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and general condition of the wheel and tire assembly after installation.
A collector-era compact like the Arrow also deserves a broader look before regular driving. Examine suspension and steering components, watch for rubbing at full steering lock, and recheck pressure after the first few drives. Even with new tires, aged wheel parts or neglected alignment and suspension pieces can affect how the car tracks and how the tires wear.
How should tires on a collector 1980 Plymouth Arrow be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1980 Plymouth Arrow should be checked regularly for air pressure, visible cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread wear, even if the car is driven infrequently. Low-mileage classics can still develop age-related tire problems, especially when they spend long periods parked or stored indoors without routine inspection.
Storage conditions matter nearly as much as mileage. Keeping the Arrow away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires over time. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect each tire sidewall closely, since a car that looks road-ready at a glance may still have tire condition issues that deserve attention first.
